In March 1975 I had reported to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. Early in my stay at the reception station, we were sent off to receive our basic training haircuts. My platoon showed back up at the barracks and everyone began marveling at themselves in the mirror without hair.
I had very long, flared sideburns that I had not yet shaven. I was about to shave them off when the whistle sounded and a drill sergeant called us outside for formation. There were other guys with sideburns, but none as big as mine. When the drill sergeant saw me, well, suffice it to say that he went ballistic. He took both hands and grabbed my long sideburns on both sides of my face and started dragging me back into the barracks. The next thing I know he has me in the latrine and is screaming at me to dry shave those hideous things off my face.
It was a painful undertaking, but it is amazing how fast a person can shave, even without shaving cream, when someone is screaming at the top of their lungs into your ear. My advice to all recruits: do not report to Army basic training with facial hair.